Recently, research about droplet self-transportation on slippery surfaces has become a hotspot. However, to achieve on/off sliding control during the self-transportation process is still difficult. Herein, we report a magnetic slippery surface, and demonstrate on/off sliding control during the self-transportation of superparamagnetic droplets. The surface is prepared through integrating a substrate that has a gradient magnetic region with a layer of paraffin infused hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles. On the surface, a superparamagnetic droplet is pinned at room temperature (about 25 °C), while it can self-transport directionally as the temperature is increased to about 70 °C. When the temperature is cooled down again, the droplet would return to the pinned state, indicating that on/off sliding control during the self-transportation process can be achieved. Furthermore, based on the excellent controllability, controllable coalescence of two droplets from opposite direction is displayed, demonstrating its potential application in numerous areas.
Keywords: controllable sliding; gradient magnetic region; self-transporting; slippery surface; superparamagnetic droplet.
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